In-Line Capper

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1.0 Purpose 
 
 The purpose of this procedure is to define the process of setup, operation, and cleaning for the
 in-line capper. 
 
 2.0 Scope 
 
 This procedure applies to the In-Line Capper in operation at Ion Labs, Inc.
 
 3.0 Responsibility 
 3.1 It is the responsibility of Production (Packaging) personnel to follow this procedure.
 
 3.2 ‘It is the responsibility of Production Management to implement this procedure and to
 
 ensure that the procedure is being followed. 
 
 4.0 Definitions 
 
 None 
 
 5.0 References 
 
 5.1 B-111, SOP, Cleaning of Manufacturing/Production Areas and Equipment
 
 6.0 Procedure 
 
 6.1 Setup and Operation 
 
 6.1.1 Ensure that the machine is clean and cleared of all previously used materials.
 
 6.1.2 Load the closures to be used into the hopper attached to the conveyor. Ensure
 that the closures are filled to the middle level and continue to be filled to the
 middle level as needed for the remainder of the packaging run.
 
 6.1.3 When the hopper is fully loaded, turn on the elevator and ensure the caps are
 being lifted on the conveyer face down so that the inside of the caps can be seen.
 
 6.1.4 Adjust the elevator up or down by turning the unit adjustor at the base of the
 elevator shaft as needed. 
 
 
 

[SOP 

 Standard Operating Pro cedure S 
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 Page 2 of 4 
 In-Line Capper 
 6.1.5 Apply the correct unit for feeding the closures into the discharge cap chute.
 Screw the tooling into the correct location and place against the chute as tightly
 as possible to ensure that the caps fall correctly. 
 6.1.6 Adjust the photo sensor for the elevator so the elevator is disengaged when the
 caps reach a specific level. 
 Note: This sensor must be adjusted with the chute full and caps falling to ensure proper
 placement. 
 6.1.7 Ensure that the adjustment of the chute upper track height level and the width
 allow the caps to fall freely and with close perimeter so they are not falling out
 of the range of the cap applier or the sensor. 
 6.1.8 Adjust the applier height by opening the bottle transfer to a width wider than the
 bottle being capped, allowing the bottle to be easily moved by hand into the cap
 applier range. 
 6.1.9 Determine the correct height for the bottle to be capped. Place the bottle below
 the applier and adjust the height to the correct level for consistent application.
 Note: The cap height may need a slight adjustment prior to this step during normal
 operation; however, the height should only need slight adjustments after this
 step. 
 6.1.10 Adjust the bottle width to squeeze the bottle enough to transfer it without
 damaging any of the interior contents. 
 6.1.11 Activate the capper by placing a bottle in front of the sensor photo eye, located
 on the conveyor rail, and adjust the height of the upper cap guide and width of
 the cap belts. 
 6.1.12 Ensure the cap is applied tightly without marking from the transfer conveyer,
 cap applier, or cap guide. 
 
 Note: These adjustments may be required to be repeated many times to complete this
 
 process. 
 6.1.13 To ensure the above information is completed accurately, the following
 adjustments will apply after theoretical setup is complete. 
 
 6.1.13.1 Cap width 
 
 6.1.13.2 Bottle width 
 
 6.1.13.3 Cap speed 
 
 6.1.13.4 Bottle speed 
 
 
 

[SOP 

 Standard Operating Procedure SOPNo | Rev 
 B-611 4 Page 3 of 4 
 In-Line Capper 
 
 6.1.13.5 Conveyer speed 
 
 6.1.13.6 Cap chute width 
 
 6.1.13.7 Capper height 
 
 6.1.14 Observe the machine while it is running and make necessary adjustments to
 ensure consistent capping. 
 
 6:te15 The machine must be observed during the entire packaging run for the
 following: 
 
 6.1.15.1 Caps are being picked up properly by the elevator 
 
 6.1.15.2 Caps are running consistently down the cap chute 
 
 6.1.15.3 Caps are blocking the correct location to disengage the cap elevator
 
 6.1.15.4 Caps are feeding properly from the cap discharge 
 
 6.1.15.5 Bottles are feeling consistently from the conveyor 
 
 6.1.16 Complete the following steps once the capper is running: 
 
 6.1.16.1 Adjust the conveyor rails to feed the bottles directly into the bottle
 transfer conveyor and onto the batch number machine. 
 
 6.1.16.2 Adjust the rotating index up or down and in or out to feed the bottles
 properly to the capper without bottle tips, over-pushing the bottle or
 overloading the capper. 
 
 6.1.16.3 Index the capper speed properly to ensure that it is not slower than the
 filler or faster than any machine after it. This step will require proper
 communication with other operators ahead and behind the capper.
 
 6.2 Cleaning 
 
 6.2.1 Remove all product and paperwork from the previous batch. 
 
 6.2.2 Refer to SOP B-111 Cleaning of Manufacturing/Production Areas and
 Equipment to follow the cleaning procedure applicable to this type of
 equipment. 
 
 6.2.3 Document cleaning as outlined in SOP B-111 Cleaning of 
 Manufacturing/Production Areas and Equipment. 
 
 
 

[SOP 

 Standard Operating Procedure SOP No | Rev ee 
 In-Li° ne Capper toos u : age + 0 
 
 7.0 Revision History 

| Rev | Date | Description of Changes | CCR # | By |
|-----|----------|------------------------|-------|----|
| 0 | 07/02/10 | New procedure. - ~ | - | - |
| 1 | 04/30/13 | Updated SOP format. | 13-282 | B. Mosall |
| 2 | 01/27/16 | Scheduled review: updated SOP format. Scheduled review: removed obsolete definitions. Added reference 2 scenes to SOP B-111. Revised section 6.2. eae fs Buns | 15-0940 | P. Zittere |
| 4 | 10/17/22 | Scheduled review: updated SOP to include all current in-line CC- cappers. Updated logo. | 22-0213 | Me Busse |